Description
Anna—often listed under its full name Ananasnaya—is one of the most widely grown hardy kiwi cultivars, valued for its large, sweet fruit and reliable productivity. The smooth-skinned, green kiwi berries are eaten whole and deliver classic kiwi flavor with an emphasis on sweetness rather than acidity. Anna is a strong choice for growers who want dependable crops and crowd-pleasing flavor.
Kiwi berries—also known as hardy kiwi—are smooth-skinned, bite-size kiwis that you eat whole, skin and all. Unlike fuzzy kiwis from the grocery store, these grape-sized fruits require no peeling and soften slightly as they ripen, developing a sweet, tropical kiwi flavor that’s easy to enjoy fresh. The vines themselves are vigorous, cold-tolerant climbers well suited to trellises, pergolas, and arbors, and once established they can produce heavy crops, making kiwi berries one of the most rewarding perennial fruits for home growers.
Overview
- Fruit type: Kiwi berry (hardy kiwi) with smooth, edible skin
- Fruit size: Large grape-sized berries
- Flavor: Sweet, classic kiwi flavor with a mild finish
- Color: Green skin and green flesh
- Growth habit: Vigorous climbing vine; easily maintained at 10–12 ft with training and pruning
- Pollination: Female; requires a compatible male hardy kiwi vine for fruiting
- Productivity: Known for reliable, heavy crops once established
Growing Details
Latin Name: Actinidia arguta ’Ananasnaya’ (Anna)
Site and Soil: 1/2 day to full day of sun; well-drained soil
Hardiness: USDA Zones 4–9
Rootstock: Own-root (propagated from cuttings)
Bearing Age: Typically 3–4 years after planting once vines are well established and properly trained
Size at Maturity: Vigorous climbing vine; easily maintained at 10–12 ft with regular pruning and training
Bloom Time: Mid-season (varies by region)
Ripening Time: Mid to late within kiwi berries; typically September into early October (varies by region)
Fruit Size: Large grape-sized; typically ~¾–1¼ inches long once mature
Pollination: Female; requires a compatible male hardy kiwi vine planted within 20–30 feet for fruiting. A proven option is our Male Hardy Kiwi (Meader).
Pests & Diseases: Generally low disease pressure with good airflow and proper pruning
Yield: Commonly 30–50 lbs per mature vine under good growing conditions
Additional Notes
- Grower’s Insight: Anna earns its reputation when it’s trained well—strong cordons and consistent spur pruning make harvest easier and keep the vine producing year after year.
- Regional Insight: Anna performs well across a wide range of climates and is a great “foundation” kiwi berry for growers who want sweetness, reliability, and strong production without niche flavor quirks.
- Explore more kiwi berry and hardy kiwi vines in our collection: Kiwi & Hardy Kiwi Vines
